House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, on Tuesday rejected proposed interview conditions from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, accusing them of seeking “special treatment” as the committee advances contempt proceedings tied to its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The standoff follows the Clintons’ refusal to comply with bipartisan subpoenas requiring sworn, transcribed depositions. Their attorneys instead proposed a limited, informal meeting in New York that would exclude most committee members, restrict staff participation, and produce no official transcript.
Comer dismissed the offer as unacceptable.
In a statement released by the committee, he said the proposal reflected an effort to evade formal oversight.
“The Clintons’ latest demands make clear they believe their last name entitles them to special treatment. The House Oversight Committee’s bipartisan subpoenas require the Clintons to appear for depositions that are under oath and transcribed. Former President Clinton has a documented history of parsing language to evade questions, responded falsely under oath, and was impeached and suspended from the practice of law as a result.”
Comer said an unrecorded meeting would be “indefensible” and “insulting to the American people who demand answers about Epstein’s crimes,” pointing to prior committee depositions of former Attorney General Bill Barr and former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta that were conducted under oath and released publicly.
He also defended the committee’s demand for Hillary Clinton’s testimony, citing her tenure as secretary of state, her knowledge of federal anti-trafficking efforts, her acquaintance with Ghislaine Maxwell, and the Clintons’ personal ties to Epstein.
“The House Oversight Committee rejects the Clintons’ unreasonable demands and will move forward with contempt resolutions on Wednesday due to their continued defiance of lawful subpoenas,” Comer said.
The subpoenas stem from the committee’s review of the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related matters, including his 2008 plea deal and questions surrounding the protection of his network. While multiple figures were subpoenaed, the Clintons are the only witnesses facing immediate contempt action after failing to appear for scheduled depositions earlier this month.
The committee is set to mark up contempt resolutions on Wednesday, a step that could lead to a House floor vote and referral to the Justice Department. The move represents a rare escalation involving a former president and first lady, intensifying a political battle over accountability in one of the most scrutinized criminal cases in recent memory.
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